{"id":19751,"date":"2013-08-01T12:37:08","date_gmt":"2013-08-01T16:37:08","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/stateimpact.npr.org\/florida\/?p=19751"},"modified":"2013-08-02T11:57:09","modified_gmt":"2013-08-02T15:57:09","slug":"tony-bennett-resigns-as-florida-education-commissioner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stateimpact.npr.org\/florida\/2013\/08\/01\/tony-bennett-resigns-as-florida-education-commissioner\/","title":{"rendered":"Tony Bennett Resigns As Florida Education Commissioner"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Florida<\/a>

Elle Moxley \/ StateImpact Indiana<\/p>

Florida Education Commissioner Tony Bennett announced his resignation today.<\/p><\/div>\n

Florida Education Commissioner Tony Bennett<\/a> resigned his post Thursday following questions about his role in changing the state’s grading formula to boost the grade of an influential Indiana charter school <\/a>while leading Hoosier State schools in 2012.<\/p>\n

Bennett called the charges “malicious” and “unfounded,” but said he did not want to become a distraction in Florida. The Associated Press first published emails, which showed Bennett and staff discussing how to make Christel House Academy an A-rated school.<\/p>\n

“Every minute we spend defending the credibility of your commissioner because of what’s said 800 miles away,” Bennett said, “is a minute we waste that we should have been thinking about educating children in Florida.”<\/p>\n

Bennett said the decision was “mine alone” and that Gov. Rick Scott offered his support.<\/p>\n

“I end my tenure with my head held high,” Bennett said.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Florida’s education commissioner is one of the most difficult jobs in the country<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n

Former commissioner Eric Smith left his job in March 2011. His replacement, Gerard Robinson<\/a>, was hired in August of that year and resigned 12 months later<\/a> amid questions about errors in calculating school grades and growing opposition to standardized testing<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Bennett was to bring stability to the post, but now he’s out too.<\/p>\n

“Florida is a dynamic, diverse state. It’s not an easy ship to steer,” said Senate Education Committee chairman John Legg. “But there are individuals out there who are up to that challenge.<\/p>\n

“Anytime you have a change at the helm it’s always disappointing,” Legg said. “I believe it was probably the right move…he was becoming a distraction over policy.”<\/p>\n

Bennett said he recommended Pam Stewart take over as interim commissioner. Stewart filled that role prior to Bennett’s hiring in December.<\/p>\n

Bennett also defended two former Indiana staffers, Dale Chu and Will Krebs, involved with the grade discussion who moved with him to Florida.<\/p>\n

“This department would do well if they stay and continue their work,” Bennett said.<\/p>\n

Update, 1:17 p.m. — Here’s Bennett’s resignation letter:<\/p>\n